Trained as Gladiators

I have a cousin who always makes me chuckle when he refers to the joys and challenges of the wonderful process of aging. He says, “getting old is not for wimps!”

Today I want to add to that and say, “a life of prayer and intercession is not for wimps!” I will share this analogy with you, and you decide.

In the era of the Roman Empire, the gladiators were a very important part of the culture, as they entertained the masses with their great feats of strength and endurance, most often even unto death. The process went something like this: a very wealthy man would visit the jails and prisons specifically searching for the one man who displayed the necessary potential traits which he felt could be, with proper training, nurtured and transformed into becoming a true champion. This would of course garner huge assets for this owner/trainer.

After purchasing him, and releasing him from his bondage, the owner/trainer would then move the man from the prison to the training camp, where he would begin a vigorous and grueling program to prepare him for the ultimate battle. He would first be fed the very best meats and other high protein foods which would build muscle. He was able to eat high volumes of food as he was burning the calories through his exercise and strenuous weight lifting.

In addition, his sore body would constantly be massaged and well oiled with healing ointments. And then, when the owner/trainer felt that he was ready, he was sent out to do battle!

I submit to you that it is exactly the same with us! Listen! First the Lord chose us to be His. Then, He bought us. Oh yes, He paid a GREAT PRICE for us! Next, He released us from our bondage, and took us to the “training camp” – the CHURCH! There, we learned how to do spiritual warfare, how to pray, how to study and understand His Word, how to love one another, and how to minister to one another. And of course, we cannot forget, that in the training camp we were anointed with the healing and empowering infusion of the Holy Spirit! Then, when the Trainer/Owner knows that we are ready, we are sent out to do battle, to change the world with what we have been taught, and with how we have been trained!    

No, prayer warriors and intercessors are not wimps, we are GLADIATORS! We are trained, we are ready, and we will win! Hallelujah!

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